Cushion pad for foot treadles



June 17, 1930. J. SALTZMAN I CUSI IION PAD FOR FOOT TREADLES Filed Oct. 2 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [I hu I L- A June 17, 1930. SALT'ZMAN 1,763,987

CUSHION PAD FOR FJOOTTREADLES Filed Oct. 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 17, 1930 JOSEPH SALTZMAN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CUSHION PAD FOB FOOT TREAD LES Application filed October 2,

My invention relates to a novel cushion or rubber pad for foot treadles or pedals-particularly for garment pressingunachines, where the pressure required for operation of the machine is extremely great and not only tires the operator quickly, but results in sore feet Where the ordinary metal plate or casting is employed, even though the same be knurled or roughened. Moreover, it often happens that the operators foot will slip off the treadle, especially where the same is smooth or has been knurled and worn smooth, with the result that injuries to the operator are frequent. Moreover, the metal treadles when released, especially accidentally, and raised by a strong spring action, strike the operators legs or shins, and the resultant injuries are sometimes quite serious. Furthermore, when the treadles are in raised or released position,

the operator or other persons will strike their legs or shins on the hard and sharp metal edges and corners thereof, with similar injury, so that it is extremely essential that some means he provided to overcome these objections. ,Also, pads have been provided by mewhich screwed on, but these did not pro tect the edges and the cost of'installation rendered them objectionable.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a cushion pad for foot treadles, especially for pressing-machines, which may be economically produced and which may be readily applied to or removed from the treadle, but which, when in position, will remain firmly so; which will give the required cushion to absorb shocks and impacts, whereby sore feet and injuries will be obviated; to 7 permit operation of the machine for long periods without tiring effect, and which will envelop the edges of the treadle in such a manner as to protect the operator or other persons from injury by contact therewith.

' Other and further objects will be apparent as the description proceeds.

5 In the accompanying drawings F 1 is a perspective view of a garment pressing-machine having a foottreadle for operating the same and equipped with my novel cushion pad.

I Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary pla 1926. Serial No. 139,027.

view of the foot treadle with the pad applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure shown in Figure '2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken vertically and transversely on the sectio lines l-4c and 5-5 of Figure 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the pad, an

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are fragmentary sectional. views showing modifications.

Referrin to the drawings in detail, I have shown a garment pressing machine in in which 10 designates the frame, 11 the table, 12 the lower heated buck, and 13 the upper heated buck, either gas Orsteam, but preferably the former, theburners of which are controlled by a thermostat 14. The buck 13'is supported by an arm 15 adapted to travel forwardly and rearwardly and mounted upon the upper end of, a vertical shaft or bar 16 which moves up and down and may swing forwardly and backwardly in bringing the upper buck into proper engagement with the lower buck to give the proper pressure for pressing the clothes inserted between the bucks.

A foot treadle 17 has its arm or shank 18 connected to the bar 16 through the medium of a toggle mechanism 19 so as to raise and, lower the buck l3 and is normallyheld raised by means of springs 20 and 21 which exert great tension to lift the treadle, and against which pressure must be exerted in order to lower the buck 13 for pressing the garments. The treadle 17 is usually a plate enlargement on the casting of the shank 17 and in practice this plate has been knurled or roughened on its upper surface to secure traction and prevent slipping, but this surface soon wears smooth, with the result that the foot of the operator slips off and thereby permits the springs to act and quickly raise the treadle and cause injury. When raised, the treadle would strike the shins if bumped against.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a cushion or rubber pad 22 of suitable cushion material, such as vulcanized rubber or soft rubber which may have mixed therewith suitable slightly stiffening tar and/ or fibrous material to reinforce the same and increase its wearing qualities. This fl-' brous material may be so incorporated as to i give a uniform texture and increase the durability and wearing qualities of the pad, as well as to toughen the same. The pad is provided with a corrugated upper surface as indicated at 23, to prevent slipping and also to 7 give a better cushioning effect, and may be reinforced with a plain rib 24 extending di-, agonally and an end rib 24, so as to interrupt the continuity of the ribs and intervening corrugations or grooves, and to also provide a name-plate which may be cut into the rib 24 as indicated at 25 to give additional friction or traction to prevent slipping.

The pad is provided at its surrounding edge with a downturned flange 26 which extends inwardly at the bottom, as at 27, in

substantially right-angularformation, the

flange forming a groove 28 adapted to fit over the surrounding edges of the treadle plate 17 and securely retain the pad 1n position. In practice, the pad being flexible, the

"plate, but may be provided with a ribr29 to engage and interlock with a transverse groove or recess 30 in the treadle, either in the plate or shank, thus holding the pad against movement in any direction in conjunction with the flanges at the free end and sides of the pad and plate of the treadle. The pad is also provided with an opening 31 reinforced by a rib 32'extending around the sameQto receivethe shank of a release pedal or button 33, having a spring connection 34with a catch 35 adapted to engage beneath arib 36 to hold the treadleand upper buck depressed.

It will be noted that the downturned flange 26 is produced by a depending surrounding edge or side wall formed on the body portion or top of the pad while the part 27 is an inturned bottom flange which engages beneath the bottom of the treadle 17 Owing to the flexible character of the material, these parts may be bent back or opened out to apply the 7 device to the plate in the manner shown in the drawings. It will also be observed that the portions 29 taper toward the portion 30 and form inturned flanges or lips 37 which firmlygrip the top and sides of the shank 18 and more securely hold the pad in position,

as well as to prevent the neck portion from working loose. The latter feature in conjunction with the rib '29 andgroove 30 oonstitutes interengaging or locking means for the pad.

In the form of the device shown in Figure 7 the construction is the same as previously described except that the top wall or body of the pad at the tapered portion 38 which is stiffened to reinforce the pad at this point and additionally retain it in position, partly due to the absence 'of corrugations at this point, is recessed at the bottom as indicated at 39 to receive the top portion or rib extension 40 of the shank 41 extending from the plate 42 of the treadle. These parts interlock and not only prevent side shifting due to the engagement of the respective faces of the recess or side walls thereof with the sides of the shank, but cause the parts to fit snugly and with the respective flanges 29 and 37, positive retention of the pad in position is assured, with rib29' and groove 30.

In Figure 8 of the'drawings the front of the pad is provided with a depending flange .43 at the neck portion ortapered part which flange has an inturned bottom portion or flange 44 adapted to engage beneath the forwardly extending angular lug or rib 45 formed on the top of the plate 46 near the shank 47, the shank in this instance protruding below the plate as indicated at 48' in stead of extending above the plate as shown in Figure 7. These parts form an interlocking connection. I

' In Figure 9 of the drawings another form of'the invention is shown in which the pad has a front extension 49 which is relatively thick and instead of being undercut or formed with an inwardly extending flange simply has a bottom recess 50 which receives a lug 51 of corresponding shape formed on the top of the shank 52 which corresponds substantially to the shanks 18 and 47.

With my device, the pressing machines can be operated for an extended period without tiring the operator and without likelihood of the foot slipping off. Owing to the cushion effect which is enhanced by the provision of the ribs,'the foot of the operator will be relieved of a great deal of strain and pressure and sore feet will be prevented.

lVhile I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, I am aware that various changes and modifications may be made without departing'from the principles of the invention, the'scope of which is to be determined by reference to the appended claim. I v

I claim as invention:

A pad for pedals of the type formed with a shank substantially in line and in the same plane as the face of a pedal, comprising a body'portion shapedtocover the face of the pedal, a depending extension formed about the edges of the pad to either side of the shank, said extension covering the edges of the pedaland having an in- 1.

the pad.

JOSEPH SALTZMAN. 

